Spain & the European Union - Fall 2025 Midterm

Law for Political Reform (1976)

Began transition to democracy, legalized political parties, enabled elections the following year. King Carlos I

Franco’s Dictatorship (1939–1975)

Authoritarian regime rooted in National Catholicism, anti-communism, and centralized control; evolved from fascist to conservative authoritarian.

Second Republic (1931–1936)

Attempted to modernize Spain through secularism, education, and land reform; led to polarization and eventual civil war.

Pre-Civil War Conflicts

Church vs State, left vs right, land ownership disputes, and regional autonomy demands.

Spanish Civil War Outcome (1939)

Nationalist victory under Franco; establishment of dictatorship.

Pillars of Francoism

National Catholicism and anti-communism as ideological foundations.

Stabilization Plan (1959)

Economic liberalization ending autarky; promoted tourism, foreign investment, and industrial growth.

Moncloa Pacts (1977)

Cross-party agreements for economic stabilization and democratic consensus during transition.

Spanish Constitution (1978)

Created a parliamentary monarchy and decentralized “Estado de las Autonomías.”

Democratic Consolidation (1982)

PSOE election victory and failed 1981 coup confirmed democratic stability.

Political System Type

Parliamentary monarchy combining democratic parliament with ceremonial king.

Head of State vs Head of Government

King acts symbolically as head of state; Prime Minister holds executive power.

Cortes Generales

Spain’s bicameral parliament: Congress of Deputies (350 members) and Senate (~265 members).

Congress of Deputies

Primary chamber that elects and can dismiss the Prime Minister; approves laws and budgets.

Senate

Represents provinces and Autonomous Communities; weaker revising chamber.

Vote of Confidence

Tool the Prime Minister uses to confirm parliamentary support; failure requires resignation.

Motion of Censure

Initiated by opposition; must include a replacement candidate for Prime Minister.

Qualified Majority (⅔)

Constitutional Reforms

Simple (Single) Majority

More votes in favor than against; used for non-fundamental laws —> PM (second vote), Vote of Confidence

Absolute Majority

Half + 1 of all members; required for certain elections within institutions. —> PM (first vote), VP of Supreme Court

Qualified Majority (⅗ )

Organic Laws, General Council of the Judiciary, Constitutional Court Judges, Ombudsman, President of Supreme Court

Autonomous Communities & Cities

17 Autonomous Communities + 2 Autonomous Cities (Ceuta and Melilla).

Charter System

Basque Country and Navarre collect taxes locally and send quota (cupo) to Madrid.

Canary Islands Regime

Special economic system with lower corporate taxes, no VAT, and customs benefits.

Neo-corporatism

Tripartite negotiation among state, employers (CEOE), and trade unions (UGT, CCOO).

Strength of Neo-corporatism in Spain

Weak; agreements often informal or non-binding.

Judicial Oversight Institutions

Constitutional Court, General Council of Judiciary, Court of Accounts, and Ombudsman.

Constitutional Court Appointment

Require ⅗ majority in each parliamentary chamber.

Welfare State Model

Bismarckian (contributory) system based on work-linked benefits.

Welfare State Pillars

Pensions, healthcare, education, and social services.

National Social Security Institute (INSS)

Central agency managing pensions and benefits.

Pension Challenges

Aging population, low wages, and emigration cause financial imbalance.

Decentralized Services

Healthcare and education managed by Autonomous Communities.

Centralized services

Social security and dependency benefits managed by the state.

Dependency Law (2006)

Established rights to care and support for dependent persons.

Social Spending vs EU Average

Spain spends below EU average, especially on education and family policies.

Main Trade Unions

UGT and CCOO, key actors in social dialogue.

NATO Membership

Joined in 1982

1986 NATO Referendum

Yes” vote with conditions (no nuclear weapons, limited integration).

EU Membership

Joined in 1986.

Foreign Policy Goals

EU integration, Atlantic cooperation, relations with Latin America and North Africa.

Ceuta and Melilla

Spanish Autonomous Cities in North Africa claimed by Morocco (land dispute).

Gibraltar

British territory since 1713 (Treaty of Utrecht).

Spanish Soft Power

Promotion of language, culture, education, and development aid.

Multilateral Institutions Spain is part of

EU, NATO, UN, OECD, Council of Europe.

Regional Foreign-Policy Priorities

European integration and Mediterranean/Latin-American relations.

Spain and Multilateralism

Strong supporter of cooperative, rule-based international order.

Vote of Confidence vs Motion of Censure

Confidence = initiated by PM; Censure = initiated by opposition and must name replacement.

Official Languages in Spain

Castilian nationwide + regional languages co-official (Catalan, Basque, Galician).

Welfare State Sustainability Issue

Declining worker-to-retiree ratio and budget strain.

Economic Purpose of Moncloa Pacts

Control inflation and foster consensus for democracy.

Prime Minister (1982 - 1996)

Felipe González (PSOE) — consolidated democracy and EU integration.

Prime Minister Who Joined NATO/EEC

Calvo-Sotelo (NATO entry) and González (EEC accession finalized).

Frequency of Vote of Confidence Use

Twice

Joined Eurozone

1999